Plans to create cricket field in Inglewood referred back to municipal staff

Full-size cricket field at Johnston Sports Park going ahead

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Caledon will be getting one full-size cricket field soon, and plans for another have been referred back to Town staff.

At Caledon Council's October 22 meeting, Councillors approved plans to build a full-size cricket field at Johnston Sports Park, requesting a proposal for the field in the 2025 budget. 

Councillors also referred plans to build a neighbourhood-size cricket field in Inglewood back to town staff. In the referral, staff were directed to present Council with a Parks and Recreation strategy that includes a plan for facilities and amenities. 

There was a significant response from residents of Inglewood upon hearing of plans for the cricket field in their village. Residents delegated at the October 22 Council meeting to share their thoughts, and many others submitted written comments. 

Several residents stated they were not consulted prior to hearing about the plan to create a cricket field in the village, and asked staff to work with Inglewood residents on adding recreational activities to Inglewood parks that bring value to residents that live there. 

Council first approved recommendations to create the two cricket fields on October 8, but final approval was required at the October 22 meeting. At present, Caledon does not have any cricket fields. 

A full-size cricket field is 140 by 120 metres and requires four acres of parkland. This is the equivalent of two regulation-size soccer fields. A Town staff report submitted to council on October 8 details the plans for Johnston Sports Park. 

“Johnston Sports Park is a district park that currently contains six soccer fields… phase five of the park's development includes the addition of two regulation soccer fields. With minor design changes staff can integrate a full-size cricket field over the planned soccer fields. This practice of integrating soccer and cricket fields is an approach taken by a number of GTA municipalities,” said staff in the report.